Sequence of Research Skills, Grades 9-12


Grade 9

Understanding types of sources
• Recognize that most sources (books, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias or reference) may be available in print, online or both
• Identify and analyze online sources: subscription databases (reference, magazine, newspaper) and e-books vs. general web sites (can include magazine, newspaper etc.)
• Identify and analyze primary sources

Locating Sources and Information
• Formulate search Strategy for web sites
o Identify keywords
o Understand URL domain
o Limit by domain using google advanced search
• Formulate search strategy for books using Glencat and public library catalogs
o Identify keywords
o Limit search to author or title
o Identify call number and locate books on the shelf
• Formulate search strategy using basic search in a database (CQ Researcher and Issues and Controversies)
o Identify keywords
o Recognize common elements of basic searching: single search box, search button
o Other limit options

Evaluating Information
• Understand the need to evaluate the validity of websites
• Identify and evaluate for authority
o Author
o Sponsoring organization or institution
• Identify and evaluate for timeliness, bias, relevancy, accuracy
• Identify and evaluate primary sources

Citing Sources Correctly
• Follow MLA guidelines to cite web sites both in-text and works cited page

Grade 10 (Building on Grade 9)

Understanding types of sources

Locating Sources and Information
• Formulate advanced search strategy for books using Glencat and public library catalogs
o Identify subject headings on result screen
o Revise search based on results
o Use subject headings for a more focused search
o Combine subject headings or keywords using AND (Boolean Logic)
• Formulate search strategy using advanced search in a database
o Identify subject headings on result screen or item record
o Revise search based on results
o Use subject headings for a more focused search
o Combine subject headings or keywords using AND (Boolean Logic)
o Recognize common elements for advanced searching: specific fields, sorting, limiting, abstracts. See vocabulary list.
• Formulate advanced search strategies for web sites
o Understand subject searching is not available in Google
o Combine keywords using All the words search box in Google Advanced Search
o Search by phrase in Google Advanced Search

Evaluating Information
• Understand the difference between juvenile, general, substantive, and scholarly books.
• Evaluate books by identifying Author, Publisher, Sources/Works Cited, Intended Audience.
• Find and use a book review to (evaluate) a book.

Citing Sources Correctly
• Follow MLA guidelines to cite books and anthologies for both in-text and works cited page









Grade 11 (building on Grades 9 and 10)

Understanding types of sources

Locating Sources and Information
• Identify databases with scholarly articles (JSTOR, ProQuest, InfoTRAC, ERIC)
• Formulate search strategy using advanced search in a scholarly database
o Limit by document types (peer reviewed, book review, editorial etc.)
o Understand the similarity of interface of JSTOR and Google (no abstract, no subject heading)

Evaluating Information
• Understand the difference between popular, substantive, and scholarly
• Evaluate magazines and newspapers from databases
o Use the Evaluative Criteria for periodicals chart (GBN yellow sheet)
o Evaluate periodicals by identifying Author, Sources/Works Cited, Intended Audience.
o Use Magazines for Libraries to locate a review of the magazine

Citing Sources Correctly
• Follow MLA guidelines to cite periodicals and database subscription information including all elements in a complete citation.



Grade 12 (building on Grades 9, 10, and 11)

Seniors independently apply and use the skills introduced the past three years, including development of their own topics and research questions.